Chicago Cubs: What does Daniel Murphy acquisition mean for roster?

Chicago Cubs: Time to get Russell closer to 100 percent

Russell has been battling a knuckle injury on his left middle finger. He was slated to start at shortstop Tuesday before getting scratched due to right shoulder inflammation.

Between Russell’s injuries and Murphy’s emergence since the break, it might be best to put Russell on the shelf for a few weeks until he is closer to 100 percent. This makes more sense when comparing the two’s numbers.

If the Cubs make the postseason, the presence of Murphy will make forming a roster even more difficult than it already would have been. Assuming Bryant and Russell are healthy, the team will have six starting spots for 10 players. 

The Cubs are unlikely to carry more than five starting pitchers, especially if one is put on the roster strictly as a reliever. This could open up space to carry all of the aforementioned players, but Maddon still must form a starting lineup.

Ultimately, the Cubs already had an embarrassment of riches on its roster, and Murphy heightens that fact. While Maddon will have some tough decisions to make down the stretch, this can only be a good thing when considering how tremendous of an addition Murphy is.